Charadriiformes

Skimmers (Rynchopidae)

HBW 3, p. 668 Learn more about the Handbook of the Birds of the World - Volume 3 on the Lynx Edicions website.

• Medium-sized rather aerial waterbirds, with long, pointed wings and short legs; unique bill structure, with very narrow lower mandible much longer than upper.
• Pantropical, extending to subtropics and marginally into temperate zone.
• Large rivers and other water bodies, mainly inland.
• 1 genus, 3 species, 5 taxa.
• 1 species threatened; none extinct since 1600.